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Cambria chooses a new director to join the board

After special meetings and a total of six hours the Cambria Community Services District board finally swore in a new member on Oct. 3.

With the exception of board director Harry Farmer, who abstained from the vote, the remaining three board members—director Jim Bahringer, Vice President Greg Sanders, and President Amanda Rice—voted in favor of Aaron Wharton.

"The role of a director is a policy maker," Sanders said. "Aaron may not know where every nickel has been spent, but it's the vision he has that means the most to me."

Sanders also said that the 40-something Wharton would be a refreshing addition to the board because of his youth, as past members selected have traditionally "been on Medicare."

Wharton is the owner of 927 Beer Company, a brewery located just off Main Street in Cambria. His wife has been a resident of Cambria since she was a child, and Wharton's two daughters attend schools in the area.

Farmer abstained from the vote because his concern was whether Wharton would have enough time to dedicate to the board on top of being a business owner and family man.

"I'm not a place-holder candidate, I'm in this for the long haul," Wharton said.

His platform includes pushing for more communication for the district and a fiscally responsible budget.

Wharton is taking the vacant seat left by former board member Michael Thompson, who announced his departure from the district during a board meeting in late August. The board will be down to four members again at the end of the month—as Sanders plans to leave the board Oct. 31—and will start the process of filling that seat in early November. Δ